Cruise and Beach Destinations
in the Caribbean, Mexico & Beyond

Caribeez.com
Panama

Panama Weather in March: Hot and Dry

Panama weather in March
Colon and Panama City high temperature and rainfall in March.

Panama weather in March is both hot and dry, which is one reason why this Central American country is a popular cruise destination during that time of year.

Panama has three major vacation destinations: the Colon cruise port on the Caribbean coast, the Bocas del Toro resort destination on the Caribbean coast and the Panama City cruise port on the Pacific coast.

Colon and Panama City in March

Colon and Panama City share similar weather because they are only 46 miles away from each other despite being on different coasts.

They are both hotter and drier than Bocas del Toro, which lies farther north.

The average high temperature in March for Colon and Panama City is 91 degrees Fahrenheit or about 33 Celsius, according to the Meteorological and Hydrological Institute of Panama, the country’s meteorological service. These daytime temperatures make them two of the hotter destinations in the Caribbean and Pacific region during March.

The average low temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 Celsius. The nighttime lows are cooler than the average for most Caribbean destinations. They make seawater chilly for swimming, mostly in the mornings.

So both destinations are better during March for land activities such as visiting the Panama Canal and Lake Gaston. Besides, Panama is not known as a beach destination.

March is part of the dry season for this area, which averages less than one inch of rain during the month. The month also has an average of only one day with rain. It is one of the driest areas among vacation destinations along the Central American coast.

Bocas del Toro in March

The island and beach destination of Bocas del Toro on the northern Caribbean coast of Panama has an average high temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit or 31 Celsius during March, according to the Meteorological and Hydrological Institute of Panama. The average low is 69 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 Celsius.

The temperatures are cool enough at night that they bring down water temperatures during the day, especially in the mornings.

Bocas del Toro is more of a beach destination than either Colon or Panama City, so vacationers might find seawater chilly.

But Bocas del Toro also has lower than average rainfall during March. The average total rainfall is three inches. It rains 15 days historically during the month.

• Panama weather in January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.
February 17, 2024

Panama City Cruise Port Guide

Panama City overview
Panama City is a destination in its own right with plenty of shopping and attractions.

Colón Panama Cruise Port

Panama photo
The Colón cruise port is popular on western Caribbean cruises thanks to the Panama Canal.

Best Times to Visit Panama

Celebrity Equinox
The best time to visit Panama is during the dry season from the late winter to late spring.

7 Best Panama Tourist Attractions

Top Beaches in Panama

5 Great Tourist Attractions in Western Panama

Panama Canal Cruise Guide

Panama Cruise and Hotel Vacation Tips